Forming means for composite columns and the like



April 29, 1930. E. B. DOWD V 6,5 4 FORMING MEANS FOR- COMPOSITE COLUMNS AND THE LIKE I Filed ma 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 ri 2 figs f 2 Eg. III? 2/2 April 29, 1930. E. B. DOWD 1,756,542

FORMING MEANS FOR COMPOSITE COLUMNS AND THE LIKE Filed May 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 29,

UNITED STA res FFICE EDMUND BERNARD DOWD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FORMING MEANS FOR COMPOSITE COLUMNS AND THE LIKE Application filed May 21,

This invention relates to improvements in formmg means for composite columns, beams,

and the like, and is an improvement over my co-pending application for means for forming plastic columns,

erial No. 126,144, filed under date of July 31st, 1926.

This invention relates more particularly to forming means for plastic columns and the like,

which means include a plurality of interengageable members adapted, when assembled, to outllne a beam or column, and to permit the use therearound of any sectional lagging, regardless of the size of the lagging sections relative to the column desired.

In constructing plastically formed columns heretofore, numerous varieties of forms have been used, both of the and the built-up type.

sectional lagging type The former type necessitates having on hand lagging sections of varlous sizes to correspond wlth the various sizes of columns desired. The built-up type of form is obviously objectionably eX- pensive in time and or partially destroyed 3 set column.

labor and must be wholly when removed from a With these objections in view,it is accordingly an object of this invention to means for forming or provide outlining a plastic column, which means permit the use of any kind or size or lagging therearound.

Another object of this invention is to provide forming means comprising interengageable members adapted to outline a column or I beam and to act as reinforcing means therefor.

Another object of this invention is to prov1de eficient and effective forming and reinforcing means to which the lagging 1s not attached in any way.

Still another object of this invention is to provide economically manufactured forming means adapted to automatically center lagging with respect to a ture.

A further object o fabricated steel strucf this invention is to 1927. Serial No. 193,21

provide forming means of the class described, adapted to provide suitable anchorage for facing or furring 1f so desired.

A still further object of this invention is to provide forming sembled,prov1de ace urmg the structure.

means which, when asurate gage lines for meas- Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and accompanylng drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view 111 elevation, with parts omitted and parts b formed by the devi roken away, of a column ce embodylng pr nciples of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a half'sectional view taken substantially on line II-II of Figure 1. V

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2,

showing the device of Figure 1 associated with a reinforcing steel core.

Figure 4 1s an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of Fig ure 2.

with the present inv Figure 7 IS a sect1 ention. onal view taken substantially along line VTI-V1T of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line V111VI1I of Figure 4.

Figure 9 1s a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line IX-1X of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is substantially along Figure a vertical sectional view taken line X-X of Figure 4.

11 is a vertical sectional view taken substant1ally along line Xl-XI of Figure 4. Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along ure 4. I

line XII-XII of Fig Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line XIIIXIII of F igure 4.

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line XIVXIV of Figure 2.

Figure '15 is a fragmentary elevational View taken substantially as indicated by line XV-XV of Figure 2. 2

Figure 16 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the device disclosed by Figure 3.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along line XVII-XVII of Figure 16.

As shown in the drawings:

As illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is shown set up to form a vertical column, and is assembled in readiness for the pouring of concrete or other plastic maferial. It is obvious, however, that this invention is equally adaptable for forming beams or the like, in horizontal or oblique positions.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention there isv shown a fabricated steel structure or I-beam 1 to act as a core for the composite column to be formed. At spaced intervals around the steel structure 1, triangular posts 2 are placed, which posts extend the full length of the column. The posts 2, as shown in Figure 1, areheld in their desired position by the reinforcing bands 3 hereinafter more fully described.

' Around the posts 2 and the bands 3, integul mentary covering comprising any desired sections of lagging, may be positioned, or, as shown, wooden lagging sections 4 reinforced by angle lrons, may be used. It is r to be noted, as illustrated in the drawings,

. able clamp formed of the lagging sections 4 need not be of a fixed size corresponding to the dimensions of the column, but may be of any size withoutdetracting in the least from their utility.

The lagging sections 4 are maintained in a useful position by any desired form of clampin Figure 6, by a movmembers 5 hinged together 1n palrs as shown at 6. The members 5 ing means or, as shown 7 r are dove-tailed at opposite corners of the lagging of any clamp to fit together and are perforated adjacent the dove-tailing as at 7, whereby plates 8 may be laid over the junction points of the members 5 and secured thereto by pins passing through an aperture 9 in the plates 8 which will be in alignment with one of the apertures 7. If the lagging sections 4 are Wider than the column to be formed, blocks 10 are inserted between the sections 4 and the members 5 of the clamp, and thusly size may be tightly secured in its useful position.

The bands 3 are each formed of a plurality of members, and comprise, with other members, a plurality of similar unitary reinforc ing elements 11 and 11 adjustably interengageable. The only difference between the elements 11 and 11 lies in their positioning, the elements 11 beinginverted relative to ele- V ments 11.

Each of the elements 11,- for instance, is formed by a stamping process from sheet 1 metal, band iron, orthe like, and comprises an angular or channel portion 12 which is slidably engageable with a similar portion on an adjacent element. Adjacent one end of the channel portion 12, and substantially at right angles thereto, and integral therewith is a portion 13 bent upon itself to define a loop 14 at its outermost end, and provided with aligned notches 15 therein. Integral with the portion 13 and angularly bent there from is a channel portion 16 having aligned apertures 17 through its sides. Adjacent the bends 18 and 19 as shown in Figure 4, the element 11 is slit and the bottom portion eX- tends outwardly parallel with the portion 13 to define tongues 20. In the the element 11 a part of the channel wall is cut out, as shown at .21, and bent back upon itself to provide an abutment 22 which abuts against the portion 13 to strengthen the same and to prevent any further rearward bending thereof. Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12, illustrate the various crosssections of the tion 12 of the element 11.

/ In the formation of one of the bands 3 shown in Figure 1, a pair of elements 11 are positioned with their channel portions 12 in slidable engagement with each other, and to stiffen the structure, are tied in this position by a wire loop 23 (Figure 14) or by equivalent means. Obviously, the elements so secured are similarly formed but differ to cor respond to left and right members. These elements 11 are positioned along opposite sides in the fabricated steel structure 1 and to complete the square, elements 11 similarlysecured together, are placed along the other opposite sides of the structure 1. As shown especially and channel portion 16 of the member 11 are engaged by corresponding notches and a channel portion of the member 11 Through the aligned apertures 17 pins 17 are insertedv to hold the channel portions 16 of elements 11 and 11 together. Torigidify and center the square band thus 11 are tied together by a criss-cross .Wire lacing 24 passing through the loops 14 (Figure 15), and the elements 11 are tied in .a similar manner, thus preventing the respective elements from being forced apart or out of adjustment by the pressure exerted by the plastic material upon pouring. Angularly bent resilient strips 25' are secured between the extended tongues 20 of the various elements 11 and 11 by rivets 26, and extend outwardly therefrom adjacent the sides of the posts 2 to which theyare removably secured by nails 27. It is to be noted portion 12 of porin Figure 4, the notches 15 formed opposite elements that the strips 25, when aflixed to the posts 2, have their outer edges in abutment as shown at 28, which abutment provides an accurate gage line at each corner of a column to be formed, from which gage line accurate measurements of the size ofthe column may be taken.

In the use or operation of the present invention, the fabricated steel structure 1 having been previously positioned, the corner posts 2 are placed in their respective positions corresponding to the size of the desirec column. The bands 3 are then formed around the fabricated steel structure 1 and secured to the corner-posts 2 in the previously described manner. In a column of this nature when the plastic material is poured within the lagging, the maximum stress or strain will occur about one-third the height of the column from the bottom thereof, and therefore the bands 3 are usually placed somewhat closer together (Figure l) at this region of the column and are spaced fartherapart near the top the column. It is to be noted that in positioning the bands 3, due to the engagement of the portions 13 of the elements 11 and 11 and the wire lacing 24 with the fabricated core structure 1, the posts 2 will be automatically centered with respect to this structure 1. After these bands 3 have been positioned, the lagging sections 4 are placed therearound and clamped as previously eX- plained. Of course, the elements 11 and 11 due to their adjustable engagement one with the other at the portions 12 thereof, may be used in the manner herein described, for any and all sizes of columns. After the plastic material has set and the composite column is completed, the clamps and lagging sections are removed, undamaged, and may be used for other columns. When the lagging is removed, the nails 27 are extracted from the posts 2, the outer portions of the angular members 25 are bent normal to the column and the posts 2 are removed. The outwardly extending portions of the members 25, which members Wlll now be straight instead of angular, provide suitable anchorage for facing or furring, if desired. If the facing or furring I is not desired, it is a simple expedient to chisel or break off the members 25 adjacent the exterior of the set plastic column.

The elements 11 and 11 with the wire lacing 24 remain in the column and act as rein- ,forcing steel for the plastic material. As

shown in the drawings the posts 2 are triangular in shape with the bases inwardly positioned, and when so placed will leave chamfered corners on the column. Obviously, corner posts having any type of interior configuration may be substituted for the posts 2 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 3, 16, and 17, the

present invention is equally adaptable for use in forming a composite column in which the steel structure comprises circular or spiral reinforcing steel and vertical rods. In Figure 3 there is shown circular reinforcing steel 29 supported by vertical rods 30 which structure acts as a supporting core for the composite column to be formed. The bands 3 are formed of the elements 11 and 11 and the angular pieces 25 are secured to the posts 2, precisely as previously described herein. However, in this case, the circular reinforcing steel 29 will not permit the elements 11 and 11 to be tied together by the wire lac ing 24, and to prevent the portions 12 of the various elements of 11 and 11 from sliding one upon the other due to the pressure of plastic material novel means have been provided to fixedly connect the elements in their desired position.

The securing means comprises a strip 31 bent to form an elongated S-hook which engages over the extremities of the portions 12 of the elements 11 and 11 as shown in Figure 16. A clamping member 32 formed of a strip bent to encircle the elements 11 and 11 and the S-hook 31, is provided with aligned apertures 33 therein. The clamping strip 32 is held in tight engagement with the elements 11 or 11 as the case may be and the S-hook 31, by the wire 34 which passes through the apertures 33 and is tied in any convenient place, as at 35. The clamping member 32 when in its tied position abuts the lagging as shown at 36. The lagging sections 4 are positioned in this case in the same manner as previously described herein and the operation is the same in both cases with the exception that in the latter case the clamping memher and $-hook 31 must be used while the lacing 24 is omitted.

Obviously, the forming means described herein provide for very economical installaion of electrical conduits and outlets within the column, inasmuch as ample space is left between the steel core and the lagging to permit the free and easy installation of electrical contrivances within the column.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that l have provided novel means for forming columns, which means afford obvious advantages over previouslyknown forms. The means disclosed herein are very economically manufactured, are adapted for a two-fold purpose, namely, to act both as forming means, and reinforcing for the column, and

permit the use of any desired form of lagging without any damage occurring to the same. Moreover, the means disclosed herein comprising standard units are easily obtainable, and are far more quicker in operation than means heretofore known for a similar purpose.

I am aware that many changes may be made and'numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departingfrom the principles o -f'this invention and I, therefore, donot purpose limitingthe patent granted hereon-otherwise than necessitated byzt'he prior art.

I claim as my invention:

"1. Means for forming a plastic beam or column, including corner supports, and a plurality of bands removably attachable in spaced relationship to said supports to outline said beam or column.

2. Incom-bination with corner supports an element foradjustable engagement .with similar elementsto form a reinforcingiband, and means engageable by said element for connecting said band to said supports.

3. Means for forming a composite column or'beam,:includingicornerisupports-extending theilength of said column or beam, adjustable b-ands removably secured to said corner supports, and means for maintaining said bands in their adjusted position.

4. .Means for forming a composite column,

including corner supports, bands, mean-s for attaching .said bands to said supports at spaced intervals,=whereby said bands outline said columnand permit :the useofiany lagging atherewith.

5. .Means for forming plastic material around a core to provide a column, including plurality of reinforcing elements interengageable to form adjustable bands to outline said column, and means held by said elements to provide anchorage for facing or furring.

*6. Means forforming a plastic column, including corner supports, adjustable bands to hold said supports in position, means for removably securing said bands to said supports, said means being bendable normal to said column as anchoragesfor furring when said column has set.

7. Asan article ofmanufacture, an element.

comprising an angular portion, a portion integra'l therewith and bent upon itself to define a loop, said element being engageable therefor with-similar elements to form reinforcing means.

8. As an articleofmanu-facture, an element formed from sheet material andcomprising an angular portion, a portion bent at substan-V tial'ly right angles thereto and being bent upon itselfto define a loop at its outermost end, and an angularly bent channel portion integral With said second mentioned portion, said element being adjustably engageable with similar elements to form reinforcing means. i

9. As an article of manufacture, an element comprising an angular.extendedportion, a portion at substantially right angles thereto having a loop therein, anangularlybent channel portion on said second mentioned portion, and spaced projections "on said second men tioned portion adapted ,to'engage an'object therebetween, said element being adjustably engageable with similar vlde reinforcing means. v

10. In combination with lagging, means for forming a oomposite column orthe like,'

bands to said supports, said elements each' comprising achannel portion, and a notched portionat anangle thereto,said portionsengageable by similar lportions on a similar element.

12. Means for forming a composite column, including supports, adjustable bands to outline said column, and means engageable by said bands to removably secure said bands to said supports,rsaid means being attachable to the exteriors of said supports and outwardlybendab'le to facing and the like.

'13..Means for forming a plastic column, said means including corner supports, adjustable bands formed by :interconnectinga plurality :of elements, angular members held by said elements to'secure said bands to said supports, said-members being abuttable at the elements to proprovide anchorage for 7 outer corners of said supports to define a gage line.

14. Means for' forming a plastic column having a steel core therein, including a plurality of elements interengageable to form adjustable bands around said core, supporting .members removably secured to said bands, and means for retaining said bands in their adjusted position, said elements each comprising a channel portion for slidable engagement with a similar portion on an adjacent element, a notched portion. angularly related to said channel portion and asecond channel portion angularly related to said notched portion, said two last mentionedportions engageable by similar portions of a transversely positioned element.

15. As an'article of manufacture, an element for adjustably engaging with similar 7 elements to form reinforcmg means, said element comprising a portion bent upon itself, both sides of said portion being split adjacent one end of said portion, the ends of said portion on one side of said split defining gripping flanges, and the ends of said portion on theother side of said split being angularly bent away from each other to define angularly disposed channel members.

16. Means for forming plastic materialto provide a column, including corner supports, adjustable bands for generally outlining said column, and means associated with said bands for attaching the same in spaced relationship to said supports, said means providing a gage line on an outer portion of said supports.

17. Means for forming plastic material to provide a column, including corner su ports,

adjustable bands removably engageab e with said corner supports to generally outline said column and permit the use of any suitable lagging therearound, and projecting means on said bands for abutting said lagging intermediate said corner supports.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

EDMUND BERNARD DOWD. 

